Sunderland AFC news: Friendly date ahead of derby, Eboue to sign, ex-Boro skipper backs Cats to stay up

The trip to St James’s Park on Sunday, March 20, will be Sunderland's only Premier League outing in the next four weeks and Allardyce is keen to keep the fitness levels of his side up.

Allardyce told the Echo: "We could play a friendly, although it depends who we can get.

"I think if we can get a side that will put a reasonable team out then we could play one towards the end of next week behind closed doors."

Click here for the full story:Emmanuele Eboue is thought to have agreed a deal with Sunderland, despite his absence from the Under-21s’ clash against Everton.

Right-back Eboue had been expected to feature for the Under-21s at the Stadium of Light, as the ex-Arsenal man continues to build up his fitness after being without a club since his release by Galatasary at the end of last season.

But he missed the game with a minor knock. Eboue is set to sign a deal until the end of the season.

Click here for the full story:Meanwhile, ex-Middlesbrough captain Andy Townsend has backed Allardyce to keep Sunderland up this season.

Townsend was speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live and you can listen to his thoughts by clicking on the Twitter link above.

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